I have decided that before I leave I shall visit and spend one day in every single library in Oxford as long as they provide me entry.
I have spent the day working at Rhodes House, which is a brilliant place to work if you have your books and have all your material. Its quiet, small, stocked with coffee and if you are there on a Wednesday, SP makes cakes.
So, its a perfect place to study. In fact, if you dont need your computer, its brilliant as you have no distractions.
So, I got CV path and Vascular path finished today. Tomorrow, I have tutorials on virology and have to read essays tonight. In the morning its going to be GI path.
The night is going to be spent doing FACS analysis and making figures for my paper.
Friday morning meeting at 11am and then back home for sleep and 5pm- am taking LA to play pool in college.
The evening is going to be spent, most likely, either sleeping or watching the rest of Syrianna or perhaps doing some Q's. I shall never know...
BTW, if you are interested in great pathology websites - WEBpath is really good. Some nice gory pictures and has exams to test yourself.
Wednesday, January 31
Sunday, January 28
Immature ego defenses and friends
I have just realised that my attitude to friendship and friends can be pyshologically classified as "splitting" - an immature ego defense.
This is after reading USMLE first AID - so I cant take it very seriously except that it sounds plausible. Basically it is an attitude where you beleive that all people are either all good or all bad. I shall say no more -many arguments have been had in this regard. Suffice to say, I rest my defense.
This is after reading USMLE first AID - so I cant take it very seriously except that it sounds plausible. Basically it is an attitude where you beleive that all people are either all good or all bad. I shall say no more -many arguments have been had in this regard. Suffice to say, I rest my defense.
Saturday, January 27
Centuries and and a class apart
The difference between the centuries. Lord Byron saying goodbye farewell to his lover and perhaps the best break up poem I have ever read.
Compare it to what in a moment of madness I called the "break up song of our generation" ( I take it back. let posterity never remember me thus.) - Goodbye my lover- James blunt.
Fare thee well! and if for ever,
Still for ever, fare thee well:
Even though unforgiving, never
'Gainst thee shall my heart rebel.
Torn from every nearer tie.
Seared in heart, and lone, and blighted,
More than this I scarce can die.
absolutely stunning. he has written some beautiful poems. I spend the mirning eating cereals and reading Byron or Emily Dickinson.
Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your hand.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.
[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
I am a dreamer and when i wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.
[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bare my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.
What can I say except Hollow, so hollow.
Compare it to what in a moment of madness I called the "break up song of our generation" ( I take it back. let posterity never remember me thus.) - Goodbye my lover- James blunt.
Fare thee well! and if for ever,
Still for ever, fare thee well:
Even though unforgiving, never
'Gainst thee shall my heart rebel.
Would that breast were bared before thee
Where thy head so oft hath lain,
While that placid sleep came o'er thee
Which thou ne'er canst know again:
Would that breast, by thee glanced over,
Every inmost thought could show!
Then thou wouldst at last discover
'Twas not well to spurn it so.
Though the world for this commend thee -
Though it smile upon the blow,
Even its praise must offend thee,
Founded on another's woe:
Though my many faults defaced me,
Could no other arm be found,
Than the one which once embraced me,
To inflict a cureless wound?
Yet, oh yet, thyself deceive not;
Love may sink by slow decay,
But by sudden wrench, believe not
Hearts can thus be torn away:
Still thine own its life retaineth,
Still must mine, though bleeding, beat;
And the undying thought which paineth
Is - that we no more may meet.
These are words of deeper sorrow
Than the wail above the dead;
Both shall live, but every morrow
Wake us from a widowed bed.
And when thou wouldst solace gather,
When our child's first accents flow,
Wilt thou teach her to say "Father!"
Though his care she must forego?
When her little hands shall press thee,
When her lip to thine is pressed,
Think of him whose prayer shall bless thee,
Think of him thy love had blessed!
Should her lineaments resemble
Those thou never more may'st see,
Then thy heart will softly tremble
With a pulse yet true to me.
All my faults perchance thou knowest,
All my madness none can know;
All my hopes, where'er thou goest,
Wither, yet with thee they go.
Every feeling hath been shaken;
Pride, which not a world could bow,
Bows to thee - by thee forsaken,
Even my soul forsakes me now:
But 'tis done - all words are idle -
Words from me are vainer still;
But the thoughts we cannot bridle
Force their way without the will.
Torn from every nearer tie.
Seared in heart, and lone, and blighted,
More than this I scarce can die.
absolutely stunning. he has written some beautiful poems. I spend the mirning eating cereals and reading Byron or Emily Dickinson.
Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your hand.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.
[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
I am a dreamer and when i wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.
[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bare my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.
What can I say except Hollow, so hollow.
House of death
House of death
I fell absolutely ashamed that our police can be so indifferent, callous and corrupt.
This might be the biggest problem facing India today - corruption of state protection, whether that be the police, prison or judicial system.
Would I be able to live in a society and community where people dread approaching their protectors in case their wrath and fickle attention turns on the victim rather than the accussed? Yes, fortunately we have never required to go to the police, but what if we had to? Is there any point in it? Will I be taken seriously? Will instead I be put in jail and my family persecuted? How can we live in such an unjust society and allow ourselves to wallow in apathy? Why cant I stop writing this blog and actually do something about it?
It reminds me of the famous statements by anti-Nazi activist Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.
I fell absolutely ashamed that our police can be so indifferent, callous and corrupt.
This might be the biggest problem facing India today - corruption of state protection, whether that be the police, prison or judicial system.
Would I be able to live in a society and community where people dread approaching their protectors in case their wrath and fickle attention turns on the victim rather than the accussed? Yes, fortunately we have never required to go to the police, but what if we had to? Is there any point in it? Will I be taken seriously? Will instead I be put in jail and my family persecuted? How can we live in such an unjust society and allow ourselves to wallow in apathy? Why cant I stop writing this blog and actually do something about it?
It reminds me of the famous statements by anti-Nazi activist Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Ladies final - update 8
GAME S'pova. 4-1 Williams. Thank God!
40- LOVE. Williams is hitting some lovely shots.
The crowd screams for the single point that S'pova wins.
5-1 Williams and the last game of the match?
67 minutes only and S'pova serving to prolong the humiliation.
Sharapova's second serve just sits up waiting to be hit. 15-15.
40-15. Ace and service winner.
5-2 Williams. and she will come out to serve for the Championships.
Serena is calm, concentrated and looks absolutely focused. Its almost like she is playing for her life and for her reputation. Its almost like she is playing to retire.
Anyway, here is she serving for the match and the championship.
Composing herself.
15-0. Long point. Making the world's best player run side to side.
30- 0. Ace.
She does need to change her dress. Its an eyesore,but who cares when you are playing like this.
40- 0. Ace.
GAME,SET,MATCH AND CHAMPIONSHIP. Its all over in 75 minutes.
Congratulations Serena Williams. You deserve it after playing an absolutely incredible,astounding and heavenly hour of tennis.
Maria is devastated,shattered and really doesn't know what to do. She is sitting on her chair with a bottle of juice to her mouth not even bothering to drink, just head down and wondering what hurricane just ran through her on the Rod Laver Arena.
Well played, all credit to the Williams camp.
40- LOVE. Williams is hitting some lovely shots.
The crowd screams for the single point that S'pova wins.
5-1 Williams and the last game of the match?
67 minutes only and S'pova serving to prolong the humiliation.
Sharapova's second serve just sits up waiting to be hit. 15-15.
40-15. Ace and service winner.
5-2 Williams. and she will come out to serve for the Championships.
Serena is calm, concentrated and looks absolutely focused. Its almost like she is playing for her life and for her reputation. Its almost like she is playing to retire.
Anyway, here is she serving for the match and the championship.
Composing herself.
15-0. Long point. Making the world's best player run side to side.
30- 0. Ace.
She does need to change her dress. Its an eyesore,but who cares when you are playing like this.
40- 0. Ace.
GAME,SET,MATCH AND CHAMPIONSHIP. Its all over in 75 minutes.
Congratulations Serena Williams. You deserve it after playing an absolutely incredible,astounding and heavenly hour of tennis.
Maria is devastated,shattered and really doesn't know what to do. She is sitting on her chair with a bottle of juice to her mouth not even bothering to drink, just head down and wondering what hurricane just ran through her on the Rod Laver Arena.
Well played, all credit to the Williams camp.
Ladies final - update 7
SHarapova has never faced anyone in the last 2 years who can match her for power, pace,accuracy and depth.
Williams is playing tennis of a level she will never be able to reproduce ever again, but once in your career is enough.
S'pova just doesn't know what to do? I dont think she anticipated this kind of tennis. She is used to being the player who hits the ball hard and with depth and I doubt has ever faced anyone who can match her shot for shot(and better her at it).
So, it looks like its all over for S'pova.
4-0 Williams. Easy hold, nothing too exceptional. Ace, winner down the line, winner, unforced error from s'pova and game over.
Williams is playing tennis of a level she will never be able to reproduce ever again, but once in your career is enough.
S'pova just doesn't know what to do? I dont think she anticipated this kind of tennis. She is used to being the player who hits the ball hard and with depth and I doubt has ever faced anyone who can match her shot for shot(and better her at it).
So, it looks like its all over for S'pova.
4-0 Williams. Easy hold, nothing too exceptional. Ace, winner down the line, winner, unforced error from s'pova and game over.
Ladies final - update 6
Williams is just waiting for the serve to hit the winner.
Steffi beat Arantxa in '94 6-2,6-0 - quickest ever women's final. Can we beat that record today.
Finally, Maria is finding her serve.
40-15, a chance to hold. Will she take it? not if she serves a double fault.
40-30.
Deuce.
She is almost crying out there.
Advantage Williams. What a point. Williams hits a backhand pass off balance.
deuce
Adv Williams
Ace. Deuce.
Williams is very much looking like the good old negro lady now. Afro pulled tightly back. Weight showing in all the right places. Curves just beginning to develop.
Adv Williams - double fault.
First fault. Sets up the point but makes an unforced error in trying to hit the winner and gives Williams the break.
3-0 Williams and is it over?
Steffi beat Arantxa in '94 6-2,6-0 - quickest ever women's final. Can we beat that record today.
Finally, Maria is finding her serve.
40-15, a chance to hold. Will she take it? not if she serves a double fault.
40-30.
Deuce.
She is almost crying out there.
Advantage Williams. What a point. Williams hits a backhand pass off balance.
deuce
Adv Williams
Ace. Deuce.
Williams is very much looking like the good old negro lady now. Afro pulled tightly back. Weight showing in all the right places. Curves just beginning to develop.
Adv Williams - double fault.
First fault. Sets up the point but makes an unforced error in trying to hit the winner and gives Williams the break.
3-0 Williams and is it over?
Ladies final - update 5
First game. Sharapova to serve.
15-15. A double fault and unforced error by serena.
Maria really needs to pick up her game. she is being driven back by the williams depth and power of groundstrokes.
15 -40. 2 break points for williams.
Second serve coming up. serena is going to pulverise this. Maria - gamesmanhip .slowing the point down, but its not going to upset williams in this mood.
Its the break. 1-0 Williams.
and williams wants to get this all over with in time for dinner.
Williams is just able to take any ball in the half court and produce a winner from it. Its unbelievable tennis. I dont think I have seen anything like this in women's tennis before. absolutely Federer like. Williams cant lose if she plays like this.
There has not been more than 10 rallies lasting more than four strokes. very unusual for womens tennis.
But, wait - its deuce. Can maria take the chance? some pressure. Dont muck it up - and Williams double faults to give sharapova the advantage only for WIlliams to ace.
Williams is going to make mincemeat of S'pova. This is incredibly serving.
GAME 2-0.
15-15. A double fault and unforced error by serena.
Maria really needs to pick up her game. she is being driven back by the williams depth and power of groundstrokes.
15 -40. 2 break points for williams.
Second serve coming up. serena is going to pulverise this. Maria - gamesmanhip .slowing the point down, but its not going to upset williams in this mood.
Its the break. 1-0 Williams.
and williams wants to get this all over with in time for dinner.
Williams is just able to take any ball in the half court and produce a winner from it. Its unbelievable tennis. I dont think I have seen anything like this in women's tennis before. absolutely Federer like. Williams cant lose if she plays like this.
There has not been more than 10 rallies lasting more than four strokes. very unusual for womens tennis.
But, wait - its deuce. Can maria take the chance? some pressure. Dont muck it up - and Williams double faults to give sharapova the advantage only for WIlliams to ace.
Williams is going to make mincemeat of S'pova. This is incredibly serving.
GAME 2-0.
Ladies final - update 4
Williams - 76% first serve percentage and I think this is the key. If her perentage drops, sharapova can take advantage.
maria needs to start playing some intelligent tennis. Slow things down, slice, play the angles. She is being absolutely embarassed and humiliated. Lets see whether she can pick herself up and pose a fight.
Sharapova needs to hang on and hold serve. Make williams play longer. tire her out, use her advantage in the fitness stakes count.
Second set starting - lets sit back and watch.
maria needs to start playing some intelligent tennis. Slow things down, slice, play the angles. She is being absolutely embarassed and humiliated. Lets see whether she can pick herself up and pose a fight.
Sharapova needs to hang on and hold serve. Make williams play longer. tire her out, use her advantage in the fitness stakes count.
Second set starting - lets sit back and watch.
Ladies final - update 3
21 minutes played. 5 -0 williams.
Serena just almost got hit witha Sharapova smash and called her a bitch. It was shown on screen and the stadium easily lip-read Serena and guffawed in unison.
40- love Sharapova. Can she hold and avoid humiliation?
YES. SHE DOES. Finally on the board. Sharapova grunting away to glory and respect?
5-1 williams to serve.
Williams is abosultely dripping with sweat. Its like she has just come out of a sauna.
30-15 . Williams is just killing her with her serve. Sharapova has no answer for the Williams first serve.
40-15. two set points and she just needs to put her first serve in.
Fault.
Second serve to the sharapova forehand and maria comes up with a great forehand winner. back down the line with power.
First serve - to sharapova backhand and its over.
27 minutes and 6-1 to serena.
Serena just almost got hit witha Sharapova smash and called her a bitch. It was shown on screen and the stadium easily lip-read Serena and guffawed in unison.
40- love Sharapova. Can she hold and avoid humiliation?
YES. SHE DOES. Finally on the board. Sharapova grunting away to glory and respect?
5-1 williams to serve.
Williams is abosultely dripping with sweat. Its like she has just come out of a sauna.
30-15 . Williams is just killing her with her serve. Sharapova has no answer for the Williams first serve.
40-15. two set points and she just needs to put her first serve in.
Fault.
Second serve to the sharapova forehand and maria comes up with a great forehand winner. back down the line with power.
First serve - to sharapova backhand and its over.
27 minutes and 6-1 to serena.
Ladies final - update 2
Break point to Sharapova - and she hits the second serve return about 5 feet outside the baseline. Williams serves, forehand approach and a finesse drop volley to win the point.
Deuce .
WHY do they GRUNT???? Its so annoying. MAria grunts after she hits the ball.
Adv Williams. Williams is wearing an absolutely hideous lime green (fluorescent green) dress.
5 -0 Serena Williams.
See what I am reduced to - commenting on the dress sense of the players. Sharapova looks much neater. Serena is so unfit - but makes up with sheer power.
Deuce .
WHY do they GRUNT???? Its so annoying. MAria grunts after she hits the ball.
Adv Williams. Williams is wearing an absolutely hideous lime green (fluorescent green) dress.
5 -0 Serena Williams.
See what I am reduced to - commenting on the dress sense of the players. Sharapova looks much neater. Serena is so unfit - but makes up with sheer power.
Ladies final
Am watching the ladies final between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Williams 3-0 up within 10 minutes. Serena is off to a blistering start and is playing some great tennis. Sharapova looks nervous and unprepared. It almost seems that the tag of favourite has made her tight. Whatever you say, she looks very pretty. Its incredible if you think that she is only 19 and could have easily made it as a model, instead she is world no.1.
Williams playing incredibly well. Its very much like the Tommy Haas and Gonzales match. Gonzales was just playing at a different level and Serena is playing about three notches higher than sharapova.
She is in the groove - broke sharapova to love. 3 service return winners and game over. The first hawkeye challenge and it adds to the Williams juggernaut. Sharapova has only now won her first point in 12 points (make that thirteen) and its going to be 5 -0 just like that.
Is this going to be a one-sided final like the two men's semifinals?
I hope not, havent stayed up till 2.30am to watch a rubbish match.
Williams playing incredibly well. Its very much like the Tommy Haas and Gonzales match. Gonzales was just playing at a different level and Serena is playing about three notches higher than sharapova.
She is in the groove - broke sharapova to love. 3 service return winners and game over. The first hawkeye challenge and it adds to the Williams juggernaut. Sharapova has only now won her first point in 12 points (make that thirteen) and its going to be 5 -0 just like that.
Is this going to be a one-sided final like the two men's semifinals?
I hope not, havent stayed up till 2.30am to watch a rubbish match.
Monday, January 22
Snooker final
For Queen and Country: A great snooker final, but crowd spoilt the moment
I couldn't watch the latter half of the final, but I almost cried when I saw the last frame and Ding sitting absolutely forlorn in that chair. No one should be made to feel like that, least of all a 19 year old without a friend in a different country playing the most important game of his life.
I like the blog post I linked to simply because its so true about the UK being idiotic this week.
I couldn't watch the latter half of the final, but I almost cried when I saw the last frame and Ding sitting absolutely forlorn in that chair. No one should be made to feel like that, least of all a 19 year old without a friend in a different country playing the most important game of his life.
I like the blog post I linked to simply because its so true about the UK being idiotic this week.
Sunday, January 21
snooker masters - update 7- end of session
Its 5 -3 to Ronnie at the end of the first session. Its been an incredible match. Ronnie with 3 century breaks (unofficially 4) and Ding 2.
Some sizzling snooker and I think Ronnie is going to win, but Ding isn't making it easy for him. In fact, after yesterday's performance, if anything Ding's excellent play has brought out the best in Ronnie.
Settle down for a night of great snooker. Can Ding claw his way back? The biggest question is whether he can keep his nerves and be consistent enough to beat Ronnie. Like Steve Davis said,"Only Ronnie looks like beating Ding"!
Some sizzling snooker and I think Ronnie is going to win, but Ding isn't making it easy for him. In fact, after yesterday's performance, if anything Ding's excellent play has brought out the best in Ronnie.
Settle down for a night of great snooker. Can Ding claw his way back? The biggest question is whether he can keep his nerves and be consistent enough to beat Ronnie. Like Steve Davis said,"Only Ronnie looks like beating Ding"!
snooker masters - update 6 - FRAME 8
Ronnie has got the break and is well set to finish this frame off from where he is now. Favourite now to win. 39break so far - and should win to take a 5-3 lead at the end of the session. Lets see. What a match this is turning out to be. Two palyers at their peak.
snooker masters - update 5
ronnie misses the pink - ding fouls on the pink - stupid shot. 10 points behind and this is turning out to be a crucial frame for DING. ding missed the pink by a foot. Ronnie pink to win the frame and he misses. Cmon..ding. nerves jangling out there. Ronnie plays for a great snooker. great shot by ding..snookering ronnie. This is great. Cant believe I am not there. Wish I had got the tickets. incredible frame. ronnie misses. 6 points to ding. another 6. gets it this time. Brilliant. DING only needs the pink. ding plays a safety. will ding take this pot on. its a long pot.YES!!! YES!! . MAde the grat long pot to win. 4-3 Ronnie. WHAT A FRAME!!
snooker masters - update 4
ronnie misses, ding back in - can he clear up..he is 13 behind with brown, blue, pink and black on their spots. difficult shot coming up . perfect shot on the brown..to get position on the blue. pink is missed...is ding losing his nerves.
snooker masters - update 3
its 4-2 ronnie. but ding has just played an incredible shot to open the reds. thuoght he was going to win the frame, but a costly miss and ronnie is favourite now. Damn damn Damn!
C'mon DING - lets get some focus back.
C'mon DING - lets get some focus back.
snooker masters - update 2
3-2 ronnie. And the match is becoming a one-miss match. First to make a mistake loses the frame. Incredible. I havent seen so many century breaks in a match from both players.
snooker masters
its 2 -2 at the mid session interval and ronnie seems to be in form. Frame 5 and ronnie is off to to flier - great pot to start the frame and has a great chance to finish the frame from here. great shot with left hand and now is definitely favourite for the frame.
C'mon DING!!!
C'mon DING!!!
I remember Kargil
I remember Kargil- thinking of war. I remember being in my second year, still in A block room 3 and this feeling of patriotism running through the hostel. We had a TV but rarely watched the news - it was left to the TOI to supply me with information. Some of use were desperate to go out and help, shd we have enlisted? Perhaps not, considering that I might have been more useful as a medic than a soldier. I promised myself that if the opportunity arose again, I would have served as a doctor on the frontline. Was I being stupid? Isn't war a waste and honour after death an illusion?
We are all going to die, what differentiates us is the manner of our death. So,isn't it just easier to die in an honourable cause rather than from Cancer or malaria or Diabetes - either that or die after you have done something famous. If not, just die in a war - you might be remembered otherwise join the rest of faceless humanity in making fossil fuel for our children.
I wish I was at Kargil- somehow dealing with death everyday makes you believe in your own immortality. Thats what keeps doctors alive for so long - every germ has invaded,exhausted by belief not the immune system.
We are all going to die, what differentiates us is the manner of our death. So,isn't it just easier to die in an honourable cause rather than from Cancer or malaria or Diabetes - either that or die after you have done something famous. If not, just die in a war - you might be remembered otherwise join the rest of faceless humanity in making fossil fuel for our children.
I wish I was at Kargil- somehow dealing with death everyday makes you believe in your own immortality. Thats what keeps doctors alive for so long - every germ has invaded,exhausted by belief not the immune system.
What an interesting year its going to be
1. If either Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama becomes the presidential nominee for the DEmocrats, they will make history. Will the US public reinforce stereotype and not vote for a black/woman or will America make my dreams and my choice to live there easier? Will USA get a woman president? It will be interesting to see whether they will get the nomination? I suspect there isn't a option to these two and Clinton should make win inside the party - but to win the presidential election might be another thing.
2. Will Federer win the Grand Slam? Quite possible except for the French? Considering he reached the finals last year, whats to stop him winning?Nadal - I think he has Nadal's number this year? My suscipicions are that Federer has worked him out and I think this year, Federer will face scares from lesser opponents who have tried to work him out.
3. Will India win the World Cup? No!
4. Will I finish my Ph.D? Yes
2. Will Federer win the Grand Slam? Quite possible except for the French? Considering he reached the finals last year, whats to stop him winning?Nadal - I think he has Nadal's number this year? My suscipicions are that Federer has worked him out and I think this year, Federer will face scares from lesser opponents who have tried to work him out.
3. Will India win the World Cup? No!
4. Will I finish my Ph.D? Yes
Saturday, January 20
101 Poems against war
I bought this book - 101 Poems against war. Its not as good or as bad as I thought it might be when I bought it(amazon.co.uk).Its got poems by Emily Dickinson (one of my favourite pieces), Yeats, Seamus Heaney, Rudyard Kipling. For all I dont like about Kipling and all I like about him, there are these lovely epitaphs he wrote during the War:
" If any questions why we died,
Tell them, because our fathers lied"
A SON:
"My son was killed while laughing at some jest,I would
I knew
What it was, and it might serve me in time when jests
are few."
The ones I like the best though are some of the non- English poets. One I like the best is this poem about the 2nd world war by Bertolt Brecht titled "War Has Been Given A Bad Name". Its a lovely ironic poem about how the 2nd world war is viewed as more immoral than the first. Its ten lines detailing the Nazis and how professional, industry, academics allegedly protested against the Nazis and therefore deplored the Nazi actions but not the war. It ends by implying that germans think the war was not immoral, just the Nazis were. Incredible! There is another French poem about parents continuing their pastoral life while their son lies in the graveyard and their routine doesn't change except for daily trips to the graveyard.
There are lots of poems about the futility of war and death of young men. I love poetry only because its far more poignant, musical and often mystical. I spend lots of time trying to read the poem correctly - find its metre and rhythm. I invariably find that I ponder, dream and muse more after reading poetry rather than prose.
Talking about war - I remember my outrage and frustration at the Lebanese war six months ago by Israel under some really obscure excuse - I was even angrier than when the US and UK invaded Iraq. Is that because Saddam was being evicted in Iraq? Wouldn't it be great if the whole world could be like BIG BROTHER and we could evict dictators and leaders across the world by a ballot! Call into the UN security Council for your vote - calls cost ISD 60Rupees - some networks may charge extra for the calls.
Talking about poetry - Newsweek yesterday was discussing Daljit Nagra, an British asian poet writing about his life as an Indian immigrant in the UK ina funny, humorous way. I havent read the poems but might buy his book to be released in Feb.
WORLD BIG BROTHER!! What do you think? Will we get racist remarks in that house? Let me imagine Bush, Hugo Chavez, Chirac and Ahmadinejad - Shilpa and Jane Goody pale in comparison compared to these guys!
" If any questions why we died,
Tell them, because our fathers lied"
A SON:
"My son was killed while laughing at some jest,I would
I knew
What it was, and it might serve me in time when jests
are few."
The ones I like the best though are some of the non- English poets. One I like the best is this poem about the 2nd world war by Bertolt Brecht titled "War Has Been Given A Bad Name". Its a lovely ironic poem about how the 2nd world war is viewed as more immoral than the first. Its ten lines detailing the Nazis and how professional, industry, academics allegedly protested against the Nazis and therefore deplored the Nazi actions but not the war. It ends by implying that germans think the war was not immoral, just the Nazis were. Incredible! There is another French poem about parents continuing their pastoral life while their son lies in the graveyard and their routine doesn't change except for daily trips to the graveyard.
There are lots of poems about the futility of war and death of young men. I love poetry only because its far more poignant, musical and often mystical. I spend lots of time trying to read the poem correctly - find its metre and rhythm. I invariably find that I ponder, dream and muse more after reading poetry rather than prose.
Talking about war - I remember my outrage and frustration at the Lebanese war six months ago by Israel under some really obscure excuse - I was even angrier than when the US and UK invaded Iraq. Is that because Saddam was being evicted in Iraq? Wouldn't it be great if the whole world could be like BIG BROTHER and we could evict dictators and leaders across the world by a ballot! Call into the UN security Council for your vote - calls cost ISD 60Rupees - some networks may charge extra for the calls.
Talking about poetry - Newsweek yesterday was discussing Daljit Nagra, an British asian poet writing about his life as an Indian immigrant in the UK ina funny, humorous way. I havent read the poems but might buy his book to be released in Feb.
WORLD BIG BROTHER!! What do you think? Will we get racist remarks in that house? Let me imagine Bush, Hugo Chavez, Chirac and Ahmadinejad - Shilpa and Jane Goody pale in comparison compared to these guys!
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